Former Saint Stanislaus Church in Lorain has been sold

By RON VIDIKA

Thursday, May 23, 2013

LORAIN -- The former Saint Stanislaus Church, 2702 Elyria Ave., Lorain, and its former school, church and rectory has been sold, according to Robert Tayek, communications director, Cleveland Catholic Diocese.

Church officials announced in March, 2009, that the church, situated on 2.25 acres, would close its doors along with several other Catholic churches in Lorain.

The final Mass at Saint Stanislaus was said Sept. 28, 2009. The church was then posted for sale on the Grubb & Ellis real estate website.

The sale price was an estimated $210,000 for the "special purpose religious facility."

The Inside-Out website, www.insideoutyouth.org, described Inside Out as "a Christian organization founded in 1998 by William Stout. Our mission is Creating Positive Change from the Inside Out -- through Jesus Christ (to seek) Positive Change in the lives of at-risk youth. Inside Out Youth addresses important community issues by helping youth build self esteem and character. You can give troubled and at risk youth hope by partnering with us as we teach kids important life skills that will help them turn away from destructive attitudes, decisions and relationships."

The organization is located halfway between Dayton and Columbus, Stout said yesterday.

"We operate after-school programming for youth and will offer free meals every day after school and Saturdays. We hoped to start a summer school food program, but we didn't have time to get the necessary permits. It (our opening) will probably be gradual. We want to coincide the opening with the first day of school and open a week before the first day of school," Stout said.

Stout said he became aware of the Saint Stanislaus property in March.

"It seemed ideal for what we want to do," he said.

Stout said the former convent will be used for offices, the former school building will be used as a child care center, the rectory will be used as a residence for the new pastor and his family and the church will be used by the non-denominational Fountain of Life.

No pastor has been chosen as of yet.

In one program students are taught building skills while working on distressed real estate property that Stout's organization will purchase.

"We take young, high school dropouts and get them licensed as workers doing residential rehabilitation," Stout said. The reconditioned homes will then be sold to local families.

Inside Out headquarters in Springfield employs 75 people, Stout said. In Lorain, Stout estimated about 20 jobs will be available.

"Right now, we're looking for a child care administrator and several full and part-time openings in child care and in the kitchen," Stout said.

Former St. Stanislaus' member Bob Lesiecki was asked what he thought of the church and its other buildings having been sold.

"It's been hard to do, every time I pass by that building. But if the new organization is going to benefit the community, that's OK," Lesiecki said.

Still on the market is the former Holy Trinity parish, 2428 Elyria Ave., Lorain, consisting of the church building, rectory, and convent and a building on a half-acre across the street from the church. Asking price is $299,000.

Tayek said the buildings won't be sold to just anyone.

"Our intent is for a closed building to be put to use for the betterment of the community. The diocese makes subjective choices of a buyer and must do this with real due diligence," he said.